War in Ukraine: Continued Russian Attacks on Kharkiv and Mariupol
Russian attacks on eastern Ukraine continued on the evening of April 17. The President of Ukraine reported at least five deaths and 15 wounded in the bombardment of Kharkiv. Fighting over the port of Mariupol continues following the end of Russia’s ultimatum.
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, reported in a video message about the bombardment of Kharkiv by Russian forces, stating that in a series of attacks on this million-strong city near the Russian border, at least five people were killed and 15 were wounded.
French news agency reported several fires resulting from attacks on residential areas in the center of the city.
Russia announced that its army attacked a weapons manufacturing plant in Brovary, near Kyiv, on the evening of Sunday, April 17 (March 28 in Persian calendar), and destroyed it. This is the third attack on ammunition factories in areas near the Ukrainian capital since last Friday.
Meanwhile, fighting over the besieged port of Mariupol in southern Ukraine continues following the end of Russia’s ultimatum. Russia had given Ukrainian forces a deadline to surrender.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on Sunday evening about missile attacks on Mariupol and bombardment of the city.
According to this headquarters’ report, supersonic bombers were used in these attacks, and particularly attacks were carried out near the city and the “Azovstal” iron and steel plant.
Denys Shmygal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, told American network “ABC” that Mariupol has not fallen and Ukrainian soldiers are “fighting to the end.”
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, also told American network “CBS” that his forces are besieged by Russian forces who want to “raze Mariupol to the ground.” He added: “The city no longer exists.”
Russia has threatened to destroy Ukrainian forces stationed in Mariupol. The country had given Ukrainian soldiers a deadline to surrender by noon on Sunday, April 17. Russia says Ukrainian military units are deployed in the “Azovstal” plant.
Russia’s military’s deadline for the surrender of Ukrainian soldiers and fighters stationed in this plant has expired. The Russian army stated that if resistance continues, it will “destroy everyone.”
The Ukrainians did not submit to this ultimatum and refused to surrender. Local officials say there are a large number of civilians in the premises of this plant who have taken shelter there over the past few weeks of Mariupol’s siege due to fear of Russian attacks.
Source: DW
